Mae Jemison quotes

Mae Jemison is an American doctor, engineer, and former NASA astronaut. Known for becoming the first African-American woman to travel in space, she has inspired generations in science and technology. She continues to advocate for advancements in STEM education and diversity. Here are 12 of her quotes:

What we find is that if you have a goal that is very, very far out, and you approach it in little steps, you start to get there faster. Your mind opens up to the possibilities.

Mae Jemison

Never be limited by other people's limited imaginations. If you adopt their attitudes, then the possibility won't exist because you'll have already shut it out...You can hear other people's wisdom, but you've got to re-evaluate the world for yourself.

Mae Jemison

The difference between science and the arts is not that they are different sides of the same coin... or even different parts of the same continuum, but rather, they are manifestations of the same thing. The arts and sciences are avatars of human creativity.

Mae Jemison

Science provides an understanding of a universal experience. Arts provide a universal understanding of a personal experience.

Mae Jemison

We look at science as something very elite, which only a few people can learn. That's just not true. You just have to start early and give kids a foundation. Kids live up, or down, to expectations.

Mae Jemison

Some of the most fun people I know are scientists.

Mae Jemison

As an astronaut, you have a very defined set of tasks to do. Those tasks may require you to work 60, 70 or 80 hours a week.

Mae Jemison

I wanted to be a professional dancer for a period of time, and I did a lot of dancing and choreography and got paid for it.

Mae Jemison

I stayed in the astronaut program until 1993. People ask me why I left. I thought I had a lot of things to contribute that would be difficult to do if I stayed. I thought I could have a stronger voice as an advocate for space exploration. So I ended up starting my own technology consulting company.

Mae Jemison

The difference between science and the arts is not that they are different sides of the same coin, even, or even different parts of the same continuum, but rather, they're manifestations of the same thing...They spring from the same source. The arts and sciences are avatars of human creativity. It's our attempt as humans to build an understanding of the universe, the world around us. It's our attempt to influence things, the universe internal to ourselves and external to us.

Mae Jemison